Born in Southern California, Cooper followed his older brother into the acting world at age 5. He immediately landed over 20 commercials before making his big debut in the HBO series Togetherness starring Mark Duplass and Melanie Lynskey. A string of recurring roles on several other hit TV shows soon followed including Nickelodeon’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn, USA’s series Colony, Showtime’s long-running series Shameless, and Girl Meets World for the Disney Channel in the notable role of “Dewey“.
Additionally, Cooper has appeared on numerous other shows including Criminal Minds, Scandal, Teachers, Amazon’s series Forever with Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph, the remake of Perry Mason with Matthew Rhys, and Mixed-ish with Tracee Ellis Ross. His many film credits include Fun Mom Dinner with Toni Colette, Battle of the Sexes with Steve Carrell, Small Town Wisconsin with Kristin Johnston, and Atypical Wednesday with J. Lee. Currently, Cooper stars in the soon to be released summer blockbuster family film Secret Agent Dingledorf and His Trusty Dog Splat alongside Paul Johansson. Passionate about anti-bullying and animal advocacy he lends his voice to support the SayNoBullying Organization in any way he can. When he’s not working, Cooper enjoys video games, writing, puzzles, karate, and boxing. He enjoys making people laugh and hopes to venture into the world of stand-up comedy someday.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS COOPER FRIEDMAN IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
Cooper Friedman is an actor, a brother, a friend who loves to make people laugh.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START AS AN ACTOR? WHAT WAS THE AUDITION PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU ON ‘SECRET AGENT DINGLEDORF AND HIS TRUSTY DOG SPLAT’?
I started acting because I watched my brother act and go on auditions. It looked like a lot of fun. I went on my first audition when I was four years old and I booked it. I knew after this audition that I wanted to be an actor just like my brother.
The audition for Secret Agent Dingledorf and His Trusty Dog Splat started with a self-tape. We taped the first audition at home and sent it to casting. After the first audition, I got a callback and got to go in and meet the director and producers. That was a lot of fun. I also saw that two of my friends Zackary Arthur and Shiloh Nelson were at the audition too for other roles. I got to audition with them which was very cool. After the callback, I was brought in again for a chemistry read. During the chemistry read I auditioned with other kids as well as with my two friends. After about a few weeks I learned that I booked the role of IQ. I also found out that Shiloh and Zack booked the other two roles. I was so excited that I was going to film the movie with two of my close friends.
I’M SURE YOU PROBABLY GET ASKED THIS QUESTION A LOT, BUT I WANTED TO HEAR STRAIGHT FROM YOU: WHAT GOT YOU INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY? WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN ACTOR?
Well, from a young age I always wanted to be an actor. I got into the industry because of my brother, Quinn. We auditioned for a tv show called Togetherness for HBO together and we booked it. That was my first theatrical job, and I loved every minute of it. I knew after that day on set that I wanted to be an actor.
IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY ROLE, IN ANY MOVIE OR TV SHOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would love to be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or in Star Wars. I would also love to be in a comedy show.
WHO INSPIRES YOU AS AN ACTOR?
My brother, Quinn, inspires me a lot and I have always looked up to him.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD A GREAT TIME FILMING! WHAT WAS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST THINGS THAT HAPPENED ON THE SET OF “SECRET AGENT DINGLEDORF AND HIS TRUSTY DOG SPLAT”
The funniest things were probably the many bloopers at the end of the film. A lot of them were really funny and the whole shoot was so fun to film. We had a lot of funny outtakes that had everyone laughing.
THE FILM REALLY FOCUSES ON SENDING A POSITIVE MESSAGE TO THE VIEWERS. WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THE FILM? WHAT DO YOU HOPE THOSE WATCHING TAKE AWAY FROM THE FILM?
What I took from the film is that anything is possible as long as you work together. I hope the people that watch the film will take away a lot of positive messages such as: there is no “I” in team, to treat people how you want to be treated, and that it feels good to do something nice.
HOW IMPORTANT IS DEVELOPING A PERSONAL STYLE WHEN IT COMES TO ACTING?
It is very important to develop a personal acting style in acting. Most important is to be real and to follow your instincts. If you do not stand out, producers will never pick you. What this also means is that you will not book everything you audition for and that is okay because you should only book things you are really right for.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR FANS AND OUR READERS?
I would like to say to always be kind to everyone around you and to always have a smile on your face. Also, you do not have to be good at everything you do as long as you try your best and have fun with it. And don’t forget to watch the premiere of “Secret Agent Dingledorf and His Trusty Dog Splat” on July 23rd by going to www.secretagentdingledorf.com to find a theater screening near you.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
Instagram @Cooperjfriedman
Twitter @Cooperjfriedman
Facebook @Cooperjfriedman
